1. Hunting: Possums were hunted using various methods such as traps, snares, or hunting with dogs.
2. Skinning: Once a possum was caught, it was skinned by carefully removing the pelt from the body without damaging the fur.
3. Fleshing: The flesh, fat, and any other tissue were carefully scraped or removed from the skin side of the pelt to make it more pliable and easier to work with.
4. Stretching and Drying: The pelt was stretched and dried over a frame or a log to maintain its shape and to remove any remaining moisture.
5. Preparation of Leather: To make the pelt into leather, it was soaked in water or treated with a mixture of animal brains and fats. This process, called "braining," helped soften and preserve the skin.
6. Stretching: After the initial preparation, the pelt was stretched again to ensure a smooth and uniform texture.
7. Smoking: To further preserve the leather and give it a distinctive aroma, the pelt was smoked over a fire of aromatic woods like cedar, hickory, or oak. This process also helped repel insects.
8. Sewing and Assembly: The prepared possum skins were then cut and sewn together using sinew, natural fibers, or threads made from animal tendons. The shape of the cloak depended on the desired style and purpose.
9. Decoration: Some cloaks were decorated with additional materials like beads, shells, or feathers for aesthetic or symbolic purposes.
10. Wearing and Maintenance: The finished possum skin cloak could then be worn for warmth and protection. To maintain the cloak, it was occasionally smoked or treated with animal fats to prevent drying and cracking.
It's important to note that the specific techniques used to make possum skin cloaks may have varied among different indigenous groups and regions, and there may have been additional steps or variations in the process.